I Worked At A Water Park – Here's Why I Avoid Them At All Costs

Picture this. You’re 16 and you’re excited to start a new summer job at a local water park. You’ll get a nice tan, meet lots of friends, and get to hang out by the water all day. Sounds like a dream, right?

Rooftop water play area at Courtyard by Marriott

Well, sure, it was great in some cases. But it’s been over ten years since I worked at a water park and I still avoid them at all costs.

I know that loads of people LOVE water parks, so I also interviewed our pal Fry Bucket from AllEars.net. She worked as a slide operator at Volcano Bay for Universal Orlando and had a very different experience than I did. We’re gonna talk the good, the bad, and the GROSS of water parks and how we approach Disney water parks and other water parks differently after our experiences.

My Water Park Experience

Hey, y’all. I’m Sierra and I have worked at DFB for over five years now, before that I worked at Disney World, and long before that, I was a lifeguard at a water park Texas.

Training at said water park was very intense (thankfully) because in this park, people were truly relying on teenagers to monitor the waters and attractions to make sure that everyone is safe. But one essential thing during training stood out to me as well…gross. As I was watching the waters, I asked how we handle going to the bathroom. Do we radio in and get someone to relieve us…or what?! Ya know, basic human needs questions.

I was told that if I needed to pee, I could simply jump into the water to relieve myself because the chemicals would simply kill anything… And even if that is true, it left a disturbing mark on my brain. Every time I hopped into the water for pleasure or work, I was just thinking about people peeing in it. That made the cool waters seem much less welcoming and refreshing. And YES, I know it happens all the time. Kids pee in the water, people pee in the water. It happens. But being told to do it just felt different, and gross, and wrong.

Lazy river

Also at the water park I worked at, people would wear full clothes in the water. We’re talking jeans, socks, and sweatshirts in 100 degree+ weather. I totally understand dressing modestly or if you need to cover up for religious reasons. To each their own!! But the thought of wet jeans rubbing against your thighs or a gross wet sock floating in the lazy river still just makes my skin crawl. A chafe stick or some water shoes def would be a winner in a situation like this!

Another gross detail that would happen often before we move onto actual safety things. I still can’t unsee the hair. Yes, hair. Extensions, wigs, eyelashes. I can’t tell you how many times these would fly off on a water slide or just get left behind between getting out of the water. And yes, a cleaning team ends up picking it up, of course. But for a moment, these were floating in the water or stuck to the side of a water slide.

Disney’s Riviera Resort Pool

Now onto safety. I, as a life guard would save littles all the time. But this is another reason why I avoid water parks now, especially as a mom. I will never forget saving twins under the age of two from the lazy river. Not only did I have to hop in and save them but when I did, no guardian was around. So I had just saved two lost toddlers. SO SAD and SO SCARY.

Water parks can be very hectic and overwhelming. I have been lost in a theme park as a little kid and I know it can happen. And the thought of it happening where there are lots of people and large bodies of water is just terrifying. I don’t think I’d be able to bring my little to a water park until I know for a fact that he is a strong swimmer and can talk and speak up for himself if he is lost.

Blizzard Beach

Fry Bucket’s Experience

Hey, y’all! Fry here, and I’m here to give a little positive light on water parks. But actually one water park and one water park only. Volcano Bay. Volcano Bay is Universal’s water park in Orlando. While I am not a huge water park fan in general, I will never stop singing the praises of Volcano Bay.

A little backstory I actually worked at Volcano Bay in the summer of 2021. Here are a couple reasons why I love Volcano Bay: It’s beautiful. The theming of this park is up there with some of the greatest!I LOVE THE TAPU TAPUS I THINK THEY ARE BRILLIANT. Now, this only applies when you know how to use them correctly. But once you figure out the system you’re golden!

©Universal

I think it’s a great way to not stand on hot pavement all day waiting in long lines the food is actually really good and also doesn’t feel like typical theme park/water park food (they have those options but also have some fun stuff too like poke bowls and Hawaiian pizza) the rides are so fun!! A water coaster? Are you kidding?!?!

However sometimes not great for certain body sizes, but that’s any water park, not just exclusive to Volcano Bay. Also, you can’t necessarily just send you kids off to ride rides by themselves because some rides also have a weight MINIMUM which people don’t realize! Overall, I think Volcano Bay is an amazing addition to the Orlando theme park scene. I enjoyed my time working there and I have loved each time I’ve visited as a guest. I don’t love water parks in general but I LOVE Volcano Bay. And if you’re on the fence about water parks, I would suggest you give Volcano Bay a try!

Disney Water Parks

Now, I will say as much as I don’t eagerly anticipate going to a Disney World water park, I do feel differently about them. As a former Cast Member, I know how seriously Disney takes safety and sanity. Therefore, I feel a sense of peace when it comes to visiting the water parks. I know that it’s going to be a clean, fun, and safe experience. With that being said, I don’t see myself taking my little until he’s older for the reasons stated above. But I do know that when we end up going someday, it will be a safe and good time.

Typhoon Lagoon

Fry seems to agree with this as well, but based on her experience working for Universal, she still prefers Volcano Bay over the Disney World theme parks. So if you’re contemplating between the two, her experience is totally something to keep in mind! Disney is offering a new water park perk for those staying at a Disney World hotel. In 2025, those staying at a Disney World hotel will get a FREE water park ticket on the first day of their hotel stay. This will likely mean that the crowds at the water parks are going to increase quite a bit.

Water Park Safety Tips

If you are heading to a water park soon, I have a few safety tips for ya!

Stay out of the deep part of the wave pool or deeper waters if you aren’t a strong swimmer (even with a tube). This should go without saying, but if you aren’t a strong swimmer and you can’t touch the bottom of the pool, you are putting yourself at risk.
Have a designated person on child watch. When you are with a large group, it can be so easy to feel like someones eyes are always on your kiddos. But having one person who is strictly in charge of watching the kids or if each person has a child that they are in charge of keeping their eyes on really makes sure that someone is always watching each person and no one falls through the cracks.
Dress your littles in bright colors! Bright orange is the easiest color to see in the water. Other neon colors are great options as well. In deeper waters, blue is really hard to see.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are swimming and don’t think you can make it to the side, please yell for help. The earlier someone can hop in and help, the better for all!